CHILDREN

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES

As Pastor John lifted the youngest among us so she could be closer to the puppets during the children’s message this morning, I was reminded of Matthew 19:14: “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”In that simple act, I was reminded that we are given opportunities every day to lift others up in big ways and small. May we choose to care, just as Christ does.

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LEGACY

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Earlier today, I found myself thinking about someone who has been on my mind for the past year yet again.  I never met my great-grandfather, Robert, but he holds a special place in my heart. A World War II veteran and eastern Kentucky coalminer, he embodied so many of the qualities we value in our mountains.  He shaped my grandfather into the man he is, and my grandfather helped shape me into the man I am. He knew that democracy mattered and that goodness must always prevail.  As I think about his legacy, I am reminded of Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” That inheritance is not just money or land. It is the lessons he passed down, the love he showed, and the way he lived his life. My great-grandfather Robert may have died in 1980, but his legacy is still here.  His legacy is in the choices I make, in the way I treat people, in the values I hold onto ...
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DISAPPOINTMENT

 BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Disappointment.   We have all experienced it, and we have all felt like one from time to time — disappointing to our family, our friends, and those we hold most dear.    Even when you feel like you do not stack up, I encourage you not to lose hope. Our faith teaches us that disappointment is a normal occurrence, and during our times of disappointment, we have the opportunity to look up, shake it off, and keep growing stronger than before.    In Jeremiah 29:11, God promises to give us hope and a future. He promises that He does not intend to harm us.    Romans 8:28 provides us with insight in a similar fashion: "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."   I know that my perspective is tainted with positivity. The storms that struck eastern Kentucky today reminded me of how hard it is to trust in God during the storms — emotional and physical — we ...
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COLTON

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Seven years ago today, on a day meant to spread love, Colton Ritchie, one of the greatest inspirations of my life, left this world far too soon.  His battle with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) was marked by strength, courage, and resilience. The average survival for those diagnosed with this cruel disease is only nine months, with just 10-percent living beyond two years.  Most who face this diagnosis are younger than seven years old. They fight with everything in them. They are strong. Yet, so often, they are denied the chance to reach life milestones, earn a driver’s license, walk across the stage at a high school graduation, or step into the future they dreamed of. We continue to advocate for children like Colton. We continue to fight for a cure. We continue to stand in solidarity with the families whose lives are forever changed by pediatric cancer.  Though Colton’s time on this earth was short, his impact was immeasurable. He touched co...
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